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Advanced Course in Yogi Philosophy and Oriental Occultism340
maintain the name and outward form, but accept only such of the teachings
as fit in with their lives. Instead of making their lives conform to the teachings,
they make the teachings conform to their lives. We mention these things,
not in the spirit of harsh criticism, but merely as an example of the difference
between the esoteric and the exoteric teachings of all religions.
In these fundamental teachings of the Gnani Yogis, there is nothing to
conflict with the real teachings—the esoteric teachings—of any religion,
and one may retain his connection with any form of religion while accepting
these fundamental truths. In fact, such knowledge will enable anyone to see
the esoteric side of his own religion, and appreciate the beauties thereof,
while his fellow worshippers tie themselves to forms and words. And, likewise,
those having no special form of religion will find that these teachings afford
to them the spiritual comfort that they have not been able to find elsewhere,
and that, when the idea is fully grasped, these teachings are found to be
in full accord with reason. And the unbeliever, and materialist, may find in
these teachings the spirit of the thing to which he has held. He has been
talking about “Nature”—let him consider that to the Gnanis the words “God”
and “Nature” have the same sense, and the scales will drop from his eyes.
In this lesson, we will state fundamentals only, and shall not attempt to
build up any special theories or philosophy. The material furnished should
give one the key to all philosophies, and each student may build up a little
philosophy to suit himself, remembering, always, that all such theories are to
be used merely as working hypotheses, and not as fundamental truth. With
this understanding, we will proceed with our work.
In the consideration of the Riddle of the Universe we of necessity must go
back to first principles—to that which underlies everything evident to the
senses. The average man dismisses this thought with the remark that “God is
back of everything, and we cannot understand God,” which is very true. But
ask him for his conception of God, and you will find that it varies with each
individual. Each has his own idea—or lack of idea—but nearly all will tell you
that God is a thing or being outside of Nature, who has somehow started